Council - Regular Meeting

Spain, a week from Wednesday. Madrid, Barcelona, Montserrat, Valencia, and Montenegro.

I'm a little worried about dinner at eight.

Will's there right now. He's excited. Okay. I know I'm excited. Okay. We got everybody. We're getting close. Brian.

Roll tape.

Okay, thank you so much, Brian. Okay, welcome everybody to our City Council meeting on June the 8th. It's been a few weeks since we have been in session, so glad to be back. I will go ahead and call this meeting to order. We are going to begin with an invocation from Mr. Segrist, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. If you will please stand if you are able.

Father, we just thank you for this evening. Father God, I just thank you for each and every person here tonight. Lord, I thank you for our city. Lord, I thank you for the employees. Father, the residents. Lord, I just pray that you be with each and every person here tonight as we go our separate ways with the inclement weather that we've received. Father God, I ask that our city be protected from any further damages from the rain. And, Lord, I just thank you for the opportunity to gather here tonight to make decisions that will affect our city moving forward. Lord, I pray for peace. I pray for unity with each and every person here. And, Lord, I just thank you for the opportunity to serve this wonderful community that we live and we work in. And, Lord, we just thank you. And it's in Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Mr. Seegers if you will give a roll call please. Yes ma'am. Councilor Simmons. Here. Councilor Sims. Here. Councilor Lange. Here. Councilor Armstead. And Mayor Andrews.

Here. We do have a quorum. And I will begin with a motion to dispense of the reading and approve the minutes from our last meeting on May the 18th.

So moved.

second second all right i've got a motion from councillor sims and a second from councillor lane all those in favor aye any opposed that passes four to zero a reminder that we have a ward two opening on the hec on the homewood environmental commission that closes on june 22nd so our next council meeting um any any luck on any that we received in the application so i want to get those applications in if you can in the next two weeks we have a few items to add to tonight's agenda we'll begin uh adding item 110526 request for permission to consider an early retirement incentive brought to us from mr smith Item 140526, request for consideration to sign a FEMA HMP resolution brought to us from Mr. Segrist. Item 050626, request for permission to sign an agreement with the BJCTA to provide microtransit, brought to us from Mr. Smith. 070626, a request to allow the city manager to execute an agreement with CB&A Construction LLC for the construction of the US 31 pedestrian tunnel improvement project brought to us from Amy Zeri. And item 080626, request for consideration of budget amendment for US 31 pedestrian tunnel improvement project brought to us from Amy Zeri, our city engineer. That is the funding for 070626. So we did. Oh, dang it, I messed that up. He said, do you have the right script? And I said, yes, I do. No, I don't. Okay, and the next item is 0606. Yeah, I've got it right here. Request for consideration of revisions to the abatement board ordinance brought to us from Mr. Pugh. Bo, I'm sorry, I grabbed the wrong one. You handed it to me and I grabbed the wrong one. All right, let me change that out then. Here we go. okay with those additions i would entertain a motion to approve the amended agenda so moved second all right i've got a motion from counselor simmons and a second from counselor lane all those in favor aye any opposed and that passes four to zero okay keep me honest on that on that oh six oh six make sure i don't miss it On here. Okay. On our old business agenda, the first item is 110426. Public hearing set for tonight, June 8th at 6 o'clock to request to rezone 2773 and 2777 BM Montgomery Street from their current zoning designation of C2 Neighborhood Shopping District to a C4 Central Business District zoning classification. to permit the renovation and reuse of the existing buildings for the development of a health fitness center brought to us from mr garrison we are going to at this time have the first reading of our ordinance mr jackson

This is an ordinance to further amend ordinance number 2, 9, 3, 3 of the city of Homewood entitled the zoning ordinance and the zoning map of the city of Homewood is heretofore adopted on the 20th day of April 2025 and as heretofore amended. Whereas the planning commission of the city of Homewood Alabama has favorably recommended to the city council that ordinance number 2, 9, 3, 3 of the city of Homewood Alabama entitled the zoning ordinance and the zoning map of the city of Homewood Alabama as heretofore adopted on the 28th day of April 2025. and is heretofore amended, be further amended by taking the property described in Section 1 hereof from the City of Homewood C2, Neighborhood Shopping District, Zoning District, to the City of Homewood C4, Central Business District, Zoning District, and whereas the City Council of the City of Homewood has found it necessary and desirable that the zoning on the here and after described parcel of property be considered and has set a public hearing on said ordinance on June 8, 2026 and has directed the city clerk to give notice thereof as provided by law. now therefore be it ordained by the city council of the city of homewood alabama that ordinance number 2933 of said city as heretofore adopted as amended and the zoning map of said city b and the same hereby are amended as follows section one that the following described parcel of property described in exhibit a located in the city of homewood jefferson county alabama more particularly described as follows It's two seven three three and two seven seven seven BM Montgomery Street in Homewood with the parcel IDs included and exhibit a incorporated B and the same hereby is taken out of the city of Homewood's c2 neighborhood shopping district zoning district and rezone to the city of Homewood C for central business district zoning district pursuant to the development plan attached as exhibit B subject to the following conditions one a proffer by the owner to exclude the following potential uses a packaged liquor store be tobacco and vape retail shops see gas station the auto parts store and he and or theater number two an agreement by the owner to develop the subject property in accord with the submitted site plan including building layout materials landscaping and parking and three and agreement by the owner to resurvey the subject properties in order to combine them into a single lot. Section 2, that from and after the enactment of this ordinance by the City Council of the City of Homewood and its approval by the mayor or its otherwise becoming a law, the uses and restrictions applicable to the Seaford Zoning District as set out in this ordinance and Ordinance Number 2933 of the City of Homewood previously adopted and as heretofore amended, control the uses made of and permitted on the property described in Section 1 hereof. Section 3, that on June 8, 2026 at 6 o'clock p.m. in the City Hall of the City of Homewood, Alabama be and the same hereby is fixed as the time when and the place where the City Council will hold a public hearing on said proposed amendment of said ordinance at which time all interested parties may appear and be heard. Section 4, that the City Clerk shall give notice of the time and place of such hearing by posting a copy of this ordinance at the places listed below once a week for two consecutive weeks in advance of its passage. And in addition there too, it contains the rest of the notice requirements required by law, which have been fulfilled. Section 5, that if any part, provision, or section of this ordinance is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, all of the parts, provisions, or sections of this ordinance not thereby affected shall remain in full force and effect. Section 6, that this ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and approval by the City Council.

Thank you very much. OK. Let's see. This, again, is to consider a request to rezone 2773 and 2777B at Montgomery Street. We'll go ahead and open this public hearing and ask first Mr. Conrad, Mr. Garrison, if you want to come up and present the case. Thank you. There are two last names for names. Sorry about that.

You can beat up on them when you go. Thank you, Mayor, Council. This is a pretty simple rezoning and matter. What they're doing is they're taking the two buildings, they're rehabbing them, they're combining them. I think the intent is for a sort of a personal fitness Pilates studio. The reason for the rezoning is because personal fitness training isn't allowed in the C2 so they have to go for the C4. As part of that from a staffing level and working with the applicants, we came up with those conditions. One is the use restrictions. As we know, C4 is much more broad in their allowable uses. So we want to tailor that a little bit. The second is, you know, personally, professionally, I like to condition rezonings based upon the materials presented. Protects the applicants it protects the city it protects us So there's no sort of bait and switch protects you guys as elected officials to say what you're voting for is what actually is going to be constructed And then the third one which would be the last step which would be tomorrow morning if you guys do approve this They go ahead. We have the resurvey now to combine those slots. And so if you guys do approve the rezoning Those thoughts will be resurveyed into one and recorded with the register of deeds. Other than that, from a staffing level, we don't have any issues with it. We've worked with the applicants and their designers. I know they've kind of gone through a couple of iterations. We made them do some few things. And from a staff level, we're happy with the proposal and with the request. Montgomery is a street that obviously needs help and needs attention. So I think any time we get an opportunity to do a good redevelopment there, I think it's a bonus for the city. Happy to take any questions you guys have.

Well, we're going to hear first from the public. We're going to take public comment period first. I will say that what we have been doing for the last six months is hearing the first reading and then voting at the next council meeting. So this vote will be on June 22nd. But we are now going to open up the public comment portion of the hearing. We will begin by inviting the applicant to speak first. after that anyone who wishes to speak in support of the item may come forward followed by anyone who wishes to speak in opposition please state your name and address and sign in before making your comments all comments should be directed to the council and please not engage in discussions directly with any other individuals so does anyone want to come forward applicant first anyone else who wants to speak in favor of this item come on up and sign in and

Hi, I'm Margaret Burden Hill, and I'm the owner of Provision Studio. And so I just wanted to write this real quick. An address or just my name?

You need an address too, Mr. Sears, right?

OK. and i have been in business for about eight years in homewood and we have moved once into our current spot and now we're looking to expand again and we're excited about the opportunity to get a bigger space with better parking for our members and to really just expand our location in homewood most of our members are homewood in relation here and then also we have some members who come from mountain brook vistavia and come into homewood not only to work out but then go and meet people for coffee and go eat lunch and shop in homewood as well so we're very appreciative of the homewood city and the way they've embraced us over the last eight years and we're just excited to hopefully continue that expansion and be able to bring more members in and just to provide a little bit more space for that to happen so if there's any questions about anything that we're doing i'm happy to answer those as well

We will bring you up after we close public hearing, if anyone has any questions for you. Thank you so much. Would anyone else like to speak in favor of this item? I will mention that we have received multiple emails in favor of this item.

I did you can eat and I worked for provision for 8 years since they opened and for Margaret and it is it seems like we have just a saturation of this facilities around there, but we're different in that we are very inclusive and how we include are the people in the home with city and it's not just your typical fitness that it's more geared towards the people who are just able we have that plenty of people who are very physically able and athletic but then we also have tons of people who have multiple sclerosis or gait and i'm a gait specialist and different issues and spinal conditions and things that are adding to the community in a way that's different in the fitness facility world that you just don't see a lot of so i think we add to the community in a different way than what you probably are seeing a lot of and just you know there's lots of great places around here but that's how we are different how we stand out and we really hope you don't mind and consider just moving we're basically moving across the street you know so um that's all i have to say thank you so much i appreciate if you'll sign in too if you could just thank you so much

anyone else like to speak in favor is there anyone who would like to speak in oh yep come on up you got it absolutely

Hi, my name is Kelsey Cotton. I teach at Provision, but I'm also, I started off as a member at Provision about three years ago, and Provision has been a phenomenal studio, just welcoming and just supportive. I have a special needs son, and I really don't know what I would do without Provision, and the expansion into a bigger space would help me personally since I have to travel. little bit of ways. I live all the way near Spain Park High School and so just giving provision the ability to expand and giving provision the ability to continue to thrive. Plenty of people that live in Homewood continuously say how much they love the space and how much they love the studio and would love to see it thrive and grow.

Thank you so much.

anyone else hello my name is Linda Foster and I have been going to provision for I think almost five years Today was my 489th class. And so the thing about provision is it really caters to all ages. Obviously, I'm a bit on the older side. But the instructors are so wonderful to work with people, no matter their ability level. And an overall improvement in my health has shown me that I want to keep going to provision forever as long as I can. And so it's a great facility. The people are wonderful. And I do hope that you will give them this opportunity to expand a little bit more. The parking issue would be great, too.

So thank you. Thank you so much. So anyone who wants to speak in opposition of this request?

Okay.

If there are no further speakers, I will now close this public hearing. And are there any questions from counsel for the applicants?

I don't have a question. I think I would just like to. Well, I to summarize, though, thanks for accepting the proffers. I mean, those conditions are are very important to allow this to proceed. And the other thing just to reiterate this as well because I believe your hours start at 5 a.m. and it is adjacent to residences but compared to other fitness locations all of your activities are inside the building correct yeah thanks I just wanted to reconfirm that component just for the sake of noise and proximity thank you

all right with no further discussion we will consider this and vote at our next meeting which is going to be june 22nd so thank you all so much for coming tonight we appreciate y'all and we will move on to the next item i'm going to read these next two items because we will be considering those at a public hearing on june 22nd so the first of that is 080526 A public hearing is set for June 22nd at 6 o'clock for a request to vacate a portion of the unnamed alley adjacent to 200 Virginia Drive. Brought to us from Mr. Pugh. We'll carry this item over until June 22nd at 6 o'clock. The next item is 170526. public hearing is set also for June 22nd at 6 o'clock for consideration to vacate a portion of the public right-of-way consisting of a 20-foot alley located between 115 Morris Boulevard and 117 Morris Boulevard brought to us from mr. Pugh as well and we will also carry this item over until June 22nd at 6 o'clock next item is 060526 a request to delegate a limited authority to the city manager regarding budget transfers brought to us from Mr Smith and a reminder we are operating on our motion in a second before discussion so I would consider a motion to approve

Motion to approve.

All right. Second. Yeah. OK. I heard you both at the same time. All right. We'll go with Councillor Simmons with that motion and Councillor Lane for the second. Any discussion on this item?

We discussed some of this at pre council, but I think just to reiterate it, given the importance of, you know, progressing with this pilot, you know, in the couple of weeks we've looked at this, I just appreciate everybody's involvement in discussion about some of the changes made with having the dual signers of the city manager and the you know whoever's the the financial director or acting financial director for these transfers having that log become a part of the voucher approval at each council meeting and also just stepping down that max amount a little bit to just make sure that anything that is a huge transfer comes to us as well. So thanks to everybody for your involvement. I think this is going to really be good for our departments and streamline administration.

Good.

I would like to say thank you, Councilor Simmons, for some of those additions. They were excellent and thoughtful, and I appreciate your judiciousness with that. So, excellent. All right. Well, we have a motion from Councilor Simmons and a second from Councilor Lane. All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? All right. That passes 4-0 and is Resolution 2657. all right thanks guys next item is Oh seven oh five two six a request to levy an additional amount to certain residential permits for deposit into the Alabama construction trade Academy fund brought to us from mr. Smith we held the first reading on this ordinance on May 18th a reminder this is the 20 that will go into a fund that comes from residential new only construction residential construction to help fund the alabama construction trade academy fund so with that i would consider a motion for approval in a second motion I have a motion from Councilor Lane and a second from Councilor Sims. Mr. Seegers, can we have a roll call vote, please?

Yes. Sorry. Councilor Simmons? Yes. Councilor Sims? Yes. Councilor Lane?

Yes.

And Mayor Andrews? Yes. So that passes 4-0 and becomes ordinance number 2976. all right moving on to new business uh other new business first item is 130526 a request to execute agreement with pool and company architects for ae services construction documents for public works site at citation i'm sorry at 187 citation court projects from amy zary um is there just a reminder mr smith on what this item is since it's been a minute since we discussed it yes

So this is for architectural engineering services contract to get a pooling company architects and the amount of two hundred eleven thousand dollars nine forty five not to exceed that amount to be paid from twelve eleven five eight four one five one the public works building renovation.

So I consider a motion and a second for approval.

Motion to approve.

Second.

All right, I have a motion from Councillor Sims and a second from Councillor Simmons. Is there any discussion on this item?

Just going back to the presentation as well. Wasn't this was this slightly under budget or am I misremembering that?

So there is no budget currently. Okay. There is a rough conceptual estimate. So Pool and Company did some conceptual plans for us, pricing exercise, and then we'll budget for that into next year. We did have money budgeted this year for the architectural drawings, which this is going to provide us.

Okay, and then so next year we'll budget for the construction of it.

That's right, and we'll have to bid it and all those things.

Okay. Thank you.

I remember this is something we talked about heavily in the previous Council for Berkeley and for public works for yes, that's right.

I was just. Yeah, I think I had my wires crossed my head about another project and this and so that's why I was trying to remember where we're at on the on the line item for the budget for this thanks.

All right, so we have a motion from Councilor Sims and a second from Councilor Simmons. All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? All right, that passes four to zero and is resolution 2658. All right, next item is 1505, request for consideration to allow a retaining wall to extend into the city right-of-way adjacent to 303 Ridge Road, Rochester. Mr. Pugh, Mr. Smith, again, quick recap on this one since it's been a minute.

Yeah, this was to extend a retaining wall that runs along the side of the driveway and into the right-of-way. Brian has it on the screen. So there are great issues. There is a structural purpose here and not just aesthetics.

It's needed.

So with that, I would consider a motion for approval in a second.

Motion to approve. Second.

I have a motion from Councillor Lane with a second from Councillor Simmons. Any further discussion on this item? all right no further discussion uh all those in favor aye any opposed all right that passes four to zero and is resolution 26 59. next item is 090626 a request for consideration of an abc 20 restaurant retail liquor license for hgi wildwood llc hilton garden inn at 520 wildwood circle north rochester mr segrist uh letters from police and fire on that

Yes, ma'am. Everything is satisfactory.

Everything's satisfactory. OK. We don't need a resolution for this, but any questions for Mr. Segrist? If not, I would consider a motion and a second.

So moved. Second.

All right. We have a motion from Councillor Simmons and a second from Councillor Lane. All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? And that passes 4-2-0. All righty. Next item is 100626, a request for consideration of approval of vouchers for period May 19, 2026 through June 8, 2026. Brought to us from Mr. Bischoff and Kelly Lee and Mr. Sechrist. Motion and a second to approve?

So moved. Second.

All right. I have a motion from Councillor Simmons and a second from Councillor Lane. Any discussion on the vouchers? Any questions anybody had? I had some questions that Kelly answered for me.

I did. I would just commend Kelly for, I waited to the last minute just being totally transparent, looking through that and asking the questions. She responded fairly quickly. So thank you for responding quickly, although I was at the last minute reviewing it.

Well, I would say that I did the same. But I did learn. I was learned. I learned a little bit about we have a lactation pod apparently at the library. I did not know that. So I learned about that today. So anyway. Okay. So we've got a motion from Councilor Simmons and a second from Councilor Lane. All those in favor. Aye. Any opposed? All right. And that is going to be Resolution 2660. All right. Now, next item is 110526, request for permission to consider an early retirement incentive brought to us from Mr. Smith. And so we just had this discussion in pre-council. Motion and a second to approve?

Motion to approve.

Second.

All right. I have got a motion from Councilor Sims with a second from Councilor Simmons. Any discussion on this item?

Yeah, the with kale we're talking about the age of that they put 15 years term. We discuss anything with about age requirements you got to be a retirement age.

Yes, and the city will cover your insurance for 13 years.

OK, but age-wise, I mean, somebody's just there 15 years. They can't retire at 37, correct?

That's correct. You cannot. You have to be eligible through the retirement systems of Alabama. And you have to have served 15 years in Homewood or be 60 years old and have served 10 years in Homewood. And we will cover you for 13 years. So in reality, what what that looks like is Medicare kicks in at 65. And then so you could potentially retire at age 52.

Or it could be due to disability as well. Great. That's what I wanted to make sure that was put out to the residents. Good question.

And then the window that was mentioned during pre-council was July 1st to September, is that right? Or did I get that right?

The end of September, that's correct.

Okay. All right, any further questions? All right, so we've got a motion from councillor Sims and a second from councillor Simmons all those in favor. All right And that passes four to zero and that is resolution 2661 good discussion y'all. All right next item 1405 26 a request for consideration to sign a FEMA HMP resolution brought to us from mr. Segrist and again, this is just a requirement from Jefferson County and Consider a motion in a second to approve

Motion to approve 140526.

Second.

All right. I've got a motion from Councillor Sims with a second from Councillor Lane. Any further discussion on this item? All right. All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? And that passes four to zero and is resolution 2662. All right. Next item, 050626. Here we are. Request for permission to sign an agreement with the BJCTA to provide microtransit brought just from Mr. Smith. A lot of discussion on this item. I'd consider a motion and a second for approval.

Motion to approve.

Second.

All right, I have a motion from Councillor Sims with a second from Councillor Simmons. Any discussion further on this item? I think we'll look forward to hearing back from BJCTA about the feedback on July 4th. Mr. Smith, if you could let us know how that conversation goes, but I think it's a good point that was made. We want to set them up for success. We do not want to start off. We do not want to be the Magic City Connector on the Garth Brooks concert.

I would just say, too, somewhat this item dovetailing with the beginning of parking enforcement downtown really hopefully will create a combo of options to alleviate some of the parking issues that some people have experienced. So I just wanted to mention that in combination.

I would like to say thank you to the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. They have hung in there with us for a very long time. And, you know, I was talking about it with Solomon tonight, like, you know, we're not going to get a better test drive than this right here. We get a year and a quarter funded from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham to see if this is going to be successful in our community. And so we don't get a better opportunity than that.

No, and I think the success of this will be our biggest headache. So when we figure out we're going to have to, we're going to make, the residents will be very happy. I really feel that.

Well, I have got a motion from Councilor Sims with a second from Councilor Simmons. All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? And that passes four to zero. Here we go, guys. All right. And that is Resolution 2663. All right. These next two items are going to go together.

Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. 606.

Thank you.

I just don't want to read those.

Sorry, Wyatt, I don't know why I keep doing that to you. Next item is 060626, a request for consideration of revisions to the abatement board ordinance brought to us from Mr. Pugh. And so I will, let's see, first reading, yes, Mr. Jackson?

Correct.

Okay.

Ordinance to amend subsection C of chapter 11 article one section 11 dash 8 entitled housing code abatement board created of the code of ordinances of the city of Homewood Alabama previously adopted by the city council of the city of Homewood Alabama. Whereas Chapter 11, Article 1, Section 11-8, Subsection C of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Homewood, Alabama sets forth the process for appointing members of the City of Homewood Housing Code Abatement Board. Whereas the City has changed its form of government and the City Council desires to change the process by which members of the Abatement Board are appointed. WHEREAS THE CITY COUNCIL DESIRES TO ESTABLISH A CITY LIAISON TO THE ABATEMENT BOARD AND WHEREAS THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS IT WOULD SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO AMEND CHAPTER 1 ARTICLE 1 SECTION 11-8 SUBSECTION C AS SET FORTH HEREIN NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOMEWOOD ALABAMA AS FOLLOWS NUMBER ONE Subsection C of Chapter 11, Article 1, Section 11-8, entitled Housing Code Abatement Board Created of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Homewood, Alabama, is hereby amended to read as follows. Subsection C, the abatement board shall be composed of one member from each ward of the city and one at large member who may reside in any ward of the city. Each member serving on the city council and elected to represent a ward shall appoint one member from his or her ward. the mayor elected at large shall appoint the at-large member two supernumerary members shall be appointed by a majority vote of the city council and may reside in any ward in the city all members shall be residents and qualified electors of the city of homewood the appointments made by the city council shall serve four-year terms Members may be reappointed in accordance with the appointment process set forth herein. Members shall not receive compensation. Members may be removed for cause by the City Council. Vacancies on the abatement board shall be filled by members of the City Council in accordance with the appointment process set forth herein. Such appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term of the member replaced. The abatement board may adopt bylaws to govern its members and its operations, provided that in all instances the abatement board's bylaws must comply with this ordinance, all other applicable city ordinances, and all applicable statutes, including Alabama Code Sections 11-53A-2 through 11-53A-6. in addition to the appointment of the abatement board members as set forth above the city manager may appoint a city employee to serve as a liaison between the city and the abatement board the liaison's only role is to facilitate communication between the abatement board and the city to be a source of information about city priorities and to be a reporting conduit back to the city manager the liaison shall not be a voting member of the abatement board shall have no authority to direct abatement board operations or abatement board meetings and shall not be authorized to bind the city to any action. Number two, all other provisions of Chapter 11, Article 1 of the Code of Ordinances except as set out above shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by this amendment. Number three, if any part, provision, or section of this ordinance is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, all other parts, provisions, or sections of this ordinance not thereby affected shall remain in full force and effect. Number four, this ordinance as amended shall become effective as of that date upon its adoption by the City Council or as otherwise becoming law.

Thank you so much. Okay, I would consider a motion for unanimous consent for this ordinance, please.

Motion for unanimous consent. Second.

All right, I have a motion from Councilor Sims with a second from Councilor Lane. A roll call vote, Mr. Segrist.

Yes, ma'am. Councilor Simmons. Yes. Councilor Sims. Yes. Councilor Lange. Yes. Mayor Andrews.

Yes. All right. So that passes. So with that, I would consider a motion and a second for approval.

Motion to approve. Second.

All right. I have a motion from Councilor Sims with a second from Councilor Simmons. Any further discussion on this item?

No, but I would say like to say while we're on this item is, uh, YPU, if anybody wants to go see a professional at work, as knowledgeable, as detailed, if you want to get something condemned, he can take it all the way down to the screws. I'm just saying, I enjoy going to the meetings that they do. It's very nice. I think everyone should go. I'm talking about residents and all to understand the process that they go through. And I can't say I think we've got the best in the state when it comes to him. So second, second.

And he's so sweet about it, too. He's so sweet about it. Yeah.

Kudos to you. Anyway, I just had to get that off.

I'm glad you did. Thank you. I'm glad you did. All right. So with that, we will have a roll call vote, please, for this ordinance.

Yes, ma'am. Councilor Simmons. Yes. Councilor Sims. Yes. Councilor Lane. Yes. Mayor Andrews.

Yes. That passes four to zero, and that becomes ordinance number 2977. So despite me trying to leave it off the agenda all night long, we got it passed. all right now these next two items we are going to take together this is going to be in the same ordinance so that is going to be oh seven oh six two six nope same what same resolution that's what i meant i did i really meant that i don't know why it came out as ordinance um sorry i did mean resolution okay oh seven oh six two six request to allow the city manager to execute agreement with cb and a construction llc for the construction of the us 31 pedestrian tunnel improvement project And the next item in the same resolution is 080626, a request for consideration of a budget amendment for U.S. 31 Pedestrian Tunnel Improvement Project. Brought to us from Amy Zeri. So do I have a motion and a second for approval?

Motion to approve. Second.

All right. I've got a motion from Councilor Lane with a second from Councilor Simmons. Any further discussion on this item?

There's a question I do have for you. We saw the photos look fantastic. Would you mind commenting about the internal part of the tunnel will be done.

Okay, so good question. So many years ago, would you like to take this, Mr. Smith? Well, I was just going to say, Lisa Holland, who's the art teacher, who had my 23-year-old in first grade, she's been there a long time, they did an art project where they painted the Shades Cahaba Way on the other side, and then as they were coming into the tunnel, she had talked to an artist about coming in and doing a skyline, And so they did the trees and they did the sky and then nothing kind of went further than that. But I've noticed since I've been walking through there that there's actually been some other paint that's been added. So I don't I don't know what's going on inside there. I probably could reach could reach out to Lisa and find out. I know they've updated the shades cover because I know it changed. And so I know the paint on that has changed, but I can reach out to Lisa and find out. Do you know anything? all i know is that nothing inside of the tunnel is included in this project oh it's not it's not yeah so we many years ago we funded the paint that lisa used with her uh and so but um but it didn't go any further on the inside of the tunnel but i can reach out to her and find out because i have noticed there's actually been a little bit of touch up in there so okay i can reach out and find out what's going on with that i'd be curious to know that if uh But the other part, this part. Yeah, no, that's what I'm saying. We'd like that part to be the same. We want it to look really good. Yeah, exactly. I'll reach out and find out what's going on with that. That'd be easy to do. All right, let's see. I've got a motion from Councilor Lane and a second from Councilor Simmons. All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? All right, and that passes four to zero. And that is resolution 2664. Okay, did we do it? Did we make it through all the items? We did, okay. With that, we will head over to ward one and see what's going on in ward one.

Ward one, I don't have much, but I will announce a few things. A shout out to the folks that put on Patriot Park Street Fest. I could not attend, but I heard it was a great time there. And, you know, Justin Limbaugh and their crew always do a great job. I was able to attend Forest Brooks Block Party 2026. I managed to get wet. The kids going down the slide, I was... standing right in front, which I got splashed, which it was fun. Enjoyed hanging out with the residents there and the citizens there. It's always a pleasure to go out and say hello to the folks and see the kids running around. You know, I've been on my kids about, you know, playing outside versus playing on their iPads and phones. So it was good to see the kids out playing, running, instead of their heads down, you know, shoulders pumped over with the iPads.

Yeah.

So good stuff there. I also mentioned the Art Council is setting up an exhibit downstairs. I would encourage anyone to go down and check that out. I've watched them put some of the artwork up, and it's phenomenal. They always do a great job. And lastly, it is summertime, and as I was driving through the city today, I saw a lot of citizens moving around, kids moving around. I just want to put emphasis on everybody staying safe. Watch yourself as you're crossing the street. Again, instead of looking at your phones, take in WHAT THE CITY HAS TO OFFER. WE LIVE IN A GREAT COMMUNITY, A BEAUTIFUL PLACE, AND THE SCENERY IS ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL. SO JUST BE CAREFUL OUT THERE AND ENJOY YOURSELF.

THANK YOU. WHAT'S THE ART? WHAT IS THE EXHIBIT DOWNSTAIRS? THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I HAVE NO IDEA. IT'S NICE, THOUGH.

WE'RE STARTING SOME OF OUR CENTENNIAL THINGS THAT'S POPPING UP, SO I WONDERED IF THAT WAS RELATED TO YOU. WHAT IS IT?

IS HE STILL DOWN THERE?

I THINK THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE REPLACING. DID THEY JUST REPLACE HIM? YEAH. OKAY. Yeah. I mean, they've got their movements and stuff. They're there. I mean, they really are. They're doing a great job.

And they're also moving it from place to place. I mean, they're spreading it around the city, too. So it's a kudos to our council. They're really step.

They really do. Amazing.

They're doing a great job.

Yeah. All right. Ward two. What's going on? Councilor Sims.

um i don't have a lot of updates either i just wanted to highlight a couple things coming up um before we meet next so speaking of the centennial and events the committee meets this week but then next week wednesday june 17th there's an event at 6 30 at the homewood library it's an evening with homewood authors in the large auditorium so please save the day for that also just as a reminder um city hall will be closed on friday june 19th for juneteenth and also just wanted to say you know it's june so it's pride month so happy pride month to all of our residents all right thank you so much all right what's going on with three council lanes

Well, there's a a couple things one I want to reiterate. What counselors said about the goes back to what we discussed probably 3, 4 weeks ago about the safety of the children on the scooters and I'm hoping with mayor and we get together with yeah we have we've got it the chief is supposed to get back to us on this because it's not it's not as much as educating the children i think there's some parents need educating to go along with this yeah um and i will mention brian put up some information today on our socials so yeah yeah okay great so that yeah there it is right there and the website there we go yeah i saw that fantastic yeah and thank you brian uh and going forward to some more fun things the city was going to discuss last Thursday I couldn't be here we were going to bring it up but it was about this celebration of Homewood the 4th of July we took it on as the city with the backing is to have some fun decorating yards we just threw it out there just as a let's just see what's going to happen decorating yards decorating streets merchants downtown and next thing I know It took off. I mean, these people were excited. They got excited. I've never seen anything like it. So, wow, I said, okay, we're going to follow up. And I was going to get with Jennifer and get with the city to put it out. The chamber's already come out with it, with the backing. We've got sponsorship from merchants downtown. They're all excited about it. We're going to have gifts for the winners. We've got judges. I'm like, I forget how many judges are going to have doing all this. It's really... I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOING TO BE LIKE THIS. BUT IT'S REALLY EXCITING. AND WHAT THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE SIGNS. THIS IS THE SIGN. HERE'S WHAT WE'RE DOING. WE'RE PUTTING IT OUT. any sponsorship for that would they will. It's online where you can sign up they will deliver you the sign and you can have your choice to put any sponsorship any donations to the police foundation. The fire foundation or the school band. I've caught a little grief about just the school band. What's wrong with the school choir? What's wrong with the football team? So this is a beginning stage, and I think It's generated a lot of excitement home would West home. What's going to be there's people West home would this in just 4, 3, this is the city then this is something I think home would have something's more special than a lot of other places in this community in Jefferson County, we've got there's a lot more excitement that people get excited about fun things. I mean where there's going to be Halloween next or You know, we thought that the parents do a fabulous job here. And so we're just trying to bring some excitement to Homewood. And I think it's in the money will be for causing next year. it will get bigger and bigger and bigger so I just want to thank home with anybody needs it. The signs and everything go online. Enjoy happy 4th right.

Lots of fun things coming up. Yes, so thank you so much for that all right. I don't really have any announcements except for I will miss you guys on the 22nd. I'm ready to hear all that I know counselor since like the bar is low. It's like I've messed something up every single meeting. So the bar is low. You are going to be great. I got a few public hearings and some ordinances and all kinds of fun things going on. But I appreciate you all. And we'll look forward to seeing you. You can still stream it when you're on vacation. I think I will be asleep. There's like a seven hour time difference. I think obviously, you know, I'm not going to be coming in from the bars.

I'll text you so you can wake up and watch the meeting.

But anyway, yeah, exactly. We'll call you.

We'll call you and connect you.

Yeah, Colin, you know, zoom in.

Barcelona, you won't be asleep. You'll be wide awake.

You have not met me or my husband. We will be sound asleep. But anyway, all right, everybody. Well, thank you all so much. And with no further business, we are adjourned.

All right, you guys.